This entry marks our 100th blog article! Special thanks to all who have contributed and commented over the last few months.
The autumn “Sabbath” with which I was gifted1 has eased into winter’s silence, and I am home again, steeping in experiences percolating still in deeper recesses of my being. I see myself in the woman who has lit a lamp and swept the house, searching carefully until she found the “lost” coin (Lk 15:8). The sweeping has been arduous while, at the same time, revealing unexpected treasures, not the least of which has been a deeper conviction of the truth of Godde’s faithful companioning. Time and again, when I would discover some new (old!) negativity to dialogically stew about in my journal, I would be surprised to hear a patient “I’m glad you noticed that!” – amazing me with unconditional acceptance of my unfinishedness, clearing the way for a new unfolding in my becoming. And then there were the timely sightings of a peregrine falcon, symbolic protector of transition, freedom, transformation… (a story for another time!)
A New Year has dawned and, realizing that integration has a timing of its own, I am content to wait, patiently tending glowing embers with gratitude and care. Meanwhile, at this traditional intention-setting time of year, there are wisdom nuggets from voices I encountered along my Sabbath journey that I am determined to weave into 2023 as its ordinariness unfolds:
In the company of Eckhart Tolle, I wish to renew my attentiveness to living in the present. Tolle captures this for me with his words, “Ask yourself: Is there joy, ease and lightness in what I am doing? If there isn’t, then time is covering up the present moment, and life is perceived as a burden or struggle.”2
With David Steindl-Rast, I wish to live gratefully, taking intentional notice of the daily gifts of “opportunity.”3 For me, these opportunities present themselves as choices to transform “perceived…burden or struggle” into patience, understanding and care.
Alongside Brené Brown, I wish to cultivate resiliency, using her AEIOUY “intention-setting reminder,” which, I understand, she borrowed from a 12-step meeting:
“A = Have I been Abstinent today? (However you define that – I find it a little more challenging when it comes to things like food, work, and the computer.)
E = Have I Exercised today?
I = What have I done for myself today?
O = What have I done for Others today?
U = Am I holding on to Unexpressed emotions today?
Y = Yeah! What is something good that’s happened today?”4
Awakening these days with the “Serenity Prayer”5 on my lips, and trusting more than ever before in the tangible power of grace and of community, I recognize the multitude of companions who, over my 50+ years, have been praying my life through its “paralysis” to new stages of healing (Lk 5:18-19). With gratitude, I embrace Susan Roll’s encouragement to “start this year as a blessing to each other, and to our world.”6 In the face of the unrelenting challenges facing our global community, I can think of nothing better!
1 I attended the Ministry to Ministers Sabbatical Program, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas from 16 Aug to 9 Dec 2022. See also my 31 Oct 2022 blog article: https://rndmcanada.org/2022/10/31/time-for-remembering/.
2 Eckhart Tolle (@EckhartTolle), “Ask yourself: Is there joy, ease and lightness in what I am doing? If there isn’t, then time is covering up the present moment, and life is perceived as a burden or struggle.” Twitter, 16 Feb 2022, 11:30 a.m., https://twitter.com/eckharttolle/status/1493986026200600580?lang=en.
3 Steindl-Rast, D. “Want to be happy? Be grateful” TED, 27 Nov. 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtBsl3j0YRQ.
4 Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are (Center City, Minnesota: Hazeldon Publishing, 2010), 74.
5 “Serenity Prayer,” Wikipedia, last modified 5 Dec 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer.
6 Susan Roll, “Reflection for Mary, Holy Mother of God; or the Name of Jesus” Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (blog), 30 Dec 2022, https://rndmcanada.org/2022/12/30/mother-of-god/.
Claudia Stecker is a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM). She was missioned to the Philippines in 1997 and worked as an educator, first, in Cotabato, at Notre Dame University, and, later, in Manila, at Asian Social Institute. Her subject areas included pastoral sociology, leadership, music and education. Claudia was also employed by Kuya Center for Street Children where she took part in establishing a microfinance initiative among urban poor families. Over the years, Claudia served the congregation, too, in leadership, formation and finance management, returning to Canada in 2021. From 2023, she has been missioned to New York, USA, where she serves as a host community member in a LifeWay Network safehouse for women survivors of human trafficking.
A very powerful reflection, Claudia! I know a little bit of the cost spent and the freedom gained from your renewal time in Texas. This is a poignant summary of your experience; and it blesses us as well. Thank you.
Beautiful reflection my friend. Thank you for the Brene Brown reflection. I am a big fan and at the same time have forgotten her advice which you have helped me reclaim. In Spirit.
Bonnie
I’ve recommended reading your Blog to several people. From attentiveness to your own life, you share a lot of helpful info for others of us. Many thanks.
Claudia, thank you very much for sharing these treasures that you received from your Sabbatical. I have printed out your reflection so that I can dip into it easily and often, and be guided by the “wisdom nuggets” from these writers as well as your own beautiful insights around having patience and trust. I also know I will be encouraged by your experience of “unconditional acceptance of my unfinishedness.” This piece is so helpful!